Welcome to our first issue of The University
of Memphis alumni and friends e-newsletter,
a monthly publication designed to give you
quick updates on what's happening at your
University.

We've had an especially
exciting year with the arrival of our 11th
president, Dr. Shirley C. Raines. The excitement
continues as we prepare for a weeklong "Celebration
of Learning," including the inauguration of
Dr. Raines. For more details, check below.

Please
feel free to forward this e-newsletter to
other U of M alumni and friends. A sign-up
form is available at http://www.memphis.edu/enews.

A
new era begins on April 16 when Dr. Shirley C. Raines
is officially inaugurated as the 11th president of The University
of Memphis. Dr. Raines has held the post since July 1, 2001.

The president's investiture take
places Tuesday, April 16 at 4:40 p.m. Before
the inauguration ceremony, faculty convocation
starts at 3 p.m. at the Michael D. Rose Theatre
Lecture Hall. Fred Smith, chair, president
and CEO of FedEx Corp., is the featured speaker.
An academic processional will follow at 4:15
p.m. and make its way to the library rotunda
for the investiture ceremony.

The U
of M will make the most of inauguration festivities
by combining them with faculty convocation
and other on-campus events for "A Celebration
of Learning" week April 14-21.

Many
of this special week's events, including the
inauguration ceremony, are free and open to
the public. Other highlights include:

All
inaugural events are being funded entirely
through private and corporate gifts. For more
information on these events, please call (901)
678-5314.

Wilson Hotel Opens

A
new landmark graces Central Avenue! The recently completed 82-suite
hotel will be home to the new Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality
and Resort Management, set to begin classes this Fall. The
school is the legacy of Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson,
who made a $15 million gift to the University to build the hotel
for the purpose of giving students practical experience in the
hospitality industry.

The hotel
itself opened in mid-March and is busily booking
luncheons, receptions, seminars and sleeping
rooms. In addition to the 82 suites, the hotel
boasts a 1000-seat banquet room, an exercise
facility, a restaurant and classrooms.

Housed
within the Fogelman College of Business and
Economics, the Wilson School will provide
students with hospitality skills and core
business knowledge, including training in
marketing, accounting, finance and management.

U of M Honors 4 at Distinguished Alumni Awards

Over
600 University alumni and friends, faculty and staff gathered
at the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis on March 2 for the
23rd Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala.

Even
Elvis (honoree Judge Robert "Butch"
Childers) made an appearance at the black-tie
affair, which honored University of Memphis
alumni and friends.